Buddhist Beliefs & Teachings Flashcards
g
Buddha
Someone who is enlightened, typically referring to Siddharta Gautama.
Siddharta’s Birth
3 Points
- He was born without causing pain to his mother
- He walked and seven lotus flowers formed at his feet
- He said that this would be his last life
Siddharta’s Life of Luxury
2 Points
- Asita prophecised that if Siddharta saw suffering he would become spiritual leader rather than a king
- He spent his early life showered with gifts and always tended to
Four Sights & Impacts
Sick Man, Old Man, Dead Man & Holy Man
The first 3 sights showed him suffering and impermenance
The Holy Man he saw encouraged him to seek enlightenment
Siddharta’s Ascetic Life’s Impact
Siddharta abandoned worldly pleasures and lived a strict life but realised it didn’t work so he abandoned it and followed the middle way
Siddharta’s Enlightenment
He meditated under a tree for 40 days and resisted desire (Represented by demon Mara) and gained the four sights.
Impacts of Buddha’s Life
3 Points
- Festivals to celebrate his life (E.g: Wesak)
- People engaging in Buddhist Practices (E.g: Meditation)
- Guiding people to live life guided by the Middle Way
3 Marks of Existence
Dukka (Suffering)
Anicca (Impermenance)
Anatta (No Fixed Soul)
Types of Dukkha
Reference
Ordinary Dukkha (Physical/Mental Pain)
Dukkha due to Change
Dukkha due to Disatisfaction
“What I teach is the cessation of suffering” & Parable of Mustard Seed
Anicca Encourages…
Reference
Avoiding materialism as it can not bring long term fulfillment
“All conditioned things are impermanent”
Annata Encourages…
2 Points - Reference
- The belief of rebirth
- Death Rites to demonstrate empty nature of body
“All things are not self”
Question of King Milinda
A chariot is merely a collection of parts that come together & there is nothing independent known as a chariot which is the same for people.
Dependent Arising (Paticcasamupada) & Influence
Reference
Everything happens because of somthing else happening and nothing is unchanging. Encourages compassion as their actions will have large consequences.
“From the arising of this comes the arising of that”
Dharma can mean…
4 Points
- Collection of Siddharta’s teachings
- Truth about nature of existence
- The universal law
- Path of training recommended by Buddha
Three Refuges (Jewels)
Buddha: Awakended Person
Dharma: Teachings
Sangha: Community
